Review of Midnight Cowboy (1969) by Richard R — 22 Jul 2009
Jon Voight's career role as 'cowboy' Joe Buck is the sheer definition of naivety. Seeing no future in his life as a staff member at a busy kitchen in Texas, young Joe decides to fulfil his version of the American Dream.
Escaping bad memories in his recent past, our (anti-)hero tries to carve out a 'career' for himself as a gigolo, targeting wealthy women in upstate Manhattan. Along the way he runs into Ratso, the poorly street hustler memorably played by former 'Graduate' (1968) Dustin Hoffman.
Never one to duck a challenge, Hoffman is extraordinary and almost steals the show from Voight. John Schlesinger's seminal classic was X-rated upon the time of its release and was the first such movie to win the Best Picture Oscar.
By today's standards, 'Midnight Cowboy' may seem tame. That probably has more to do with the shift in our morals as a society since practically all of the themes touched upon here are adult and very relevant.
An essential New York movie which set the tone, along with 'Bonnie & Clyde' (1968), for the 1970s and the 'Cinema of Loneliness' which followed. 'Taxi Driver' (1976) and 'Panic in Needle Park' (1970) are amongst the Big Apple films which owe much to Midnight Cowboy.
As the hopes and aspirations of our two protagonists fade into the New York night, the audience are propelled through an array of emotions, some more disturbing than others.
This review of Midnight Cowboy (1969) was written by Richard R on 22 Jul 2009.
Midnight Cowboy has generally received very positive reviews.
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